FC Barcelona were crowned Spanish Super Cup champions after thrashing fierce rivals Real Madrid 5-2 in the final on Sunday night.
Spanish Super Cup Final
Result: Real Madrid 2-5 FC Barcelona
Date: 12 January 2025
Venue: King Abdullah Sports City
Madrid kept the same line-up that beat Mallorca in the semi-finals, as Rodrygo, Bellingham, Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe were in attack.
Barca also kept the same team that beat Athletic Bilbao in the semi-finals, with the front trio of Lamine Yamal, Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha.
Los Blancos had a perfect start Mbappe gave them an early lead with a close-range effort from a solo run in the box.
Blaugrana were not lying down as Yamal levelled matters midway into the first stanza with a strike in the box after he connected with Lewandowski.
Hansi Flick's charges gained momentum and with ten minutes before the interval, Lewandowski gave them a 2-1 lead from the penalty spot after they were awarded a spot-kick for a foul by Eduardo Camavinga on Gavi in the box by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR).
Blaugrana were getting unstoppable just before the interval after Raphinha made it 3-1 with a close-range header from a cross by Jules Kounde.
Los Blancos made themselves vulnerable on counter-attacks in first-half stoppage time as Barca hit on a counter-attack, through Alejandro Balde, who made it 4-1.
The same theme continued early in the second stanza as Carlo Ancelotti's troops got desperate and were punished by Raphinha, who made it 5-1 from a one-on-one chance on transition and completed his brace.
The Catalan giants, ten minutes into the second stanza, were reduced to ten men after goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny was shown a red-card from a VAR review following a tackle on Mbappe.
Madrid had some breather as Rodrygo pulled a second goal back on the hour-mark with a free-kick from the edge of the box that went in off the post.
Ancelotti tried different personnel with 16 minutes to go upfront as Brahim Diaz replaced Vinicius Junior for fresh legs.
However, Barca managed the game in the closing stages and their rampant was not in doubt, as they were crowned champions.
